How do we engage our tech savvy students who see reading and writing as a chore? Think outside of the box and make technology work for us in the classroom! Interactive fiction (or narrative) combines literary narrative with interactive video gaming creating a true multimedia experience for the student. While most video games use graphics and fixed sequences that challenge the player, interactive fiction is text based gaming that requires the user to actually craft the story or narrative. There are two inputs - the game input and the player input. The game input appears in second person point of view, present tense whereas the player must input text using imperative command. Students are in control of character actions and plot development and learn quickly that they must be concise and complete when inputting text. In addition, students learn the importance of voice, grammar, mechanics and tone.
Interactive fiction is easy to use in the classroom as there are many downloadable games online. In addition, those who are tech savvy can use Inform 7 (a free downloadable program) to create their own interactive fiction adventures in class. I have used games by Will Crowther (the father of interactive fiction) and Emily Short in my classroom with great success. Throughout the class, I remind my students that each time they play a video game, participate in an interactive XBox 360 game or chat they write. I then commend them for creating a new language with its own terms and rules.
Should you have any questions about IF, feel free to contact me.
Ellen Feig
Thursday, September 10, 2009
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Interesting, Ellen.
ReplyDeleteDahlia Lithwick, Supreme Court reporter at Slate.com, has been collaborating via Facebook with her audience in the composition of a chick lit novel, posted at Slate weekly, in chapters. She says her readers have shown a surprising and overwhelmingly positive response to this interactive, slightly silly endeavor. They suggest character names and plot points; she writes it in.
It sounds fun: it makes the storytelling an objective art, very different from the painstaking I's of first person accounts.
Hi Ellen,
ReplyDeleteI'd like to learn some more about IF. Where do you suggestI begin??
Bruce
I would suggest looking at Will Crowther's site first. MIT also has a ton of information.
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